Today, we'll learn about the story of the world's rarest silk with writer, editor, and now book author Eliot Stein. Eliot and I first got to know each other through our shared passion for the types of stories that reveal something about a place through the lens of tradition and unique cultural practices. Eliot has edited a few of my stories at BBC Travel, where he currently serves as the deputy editor,  and where he started a column called Custom Made that highlights cultural custodians...

In this episode of "Going Places," I'm sharing a very special story I wrote for Conde Nast Traveler this summer called In the Land of the World's Oldest Bread, A Return to an Ancient Baking Culture. We'll journey together to the heart of Jordan, where baking is not just about sustenance but a profound cultural legacy. Join me as we explore how bread is intricately woven into the fabric of Jordan's community life, from traditional dishes gracing UNESCO's heritage list to the philosophy of Al...

In this episode of Going Places, a conversation with three remarkable Ammani creators: Sarah Shabbar, a journalist and editor at Jordan News Daily, an English Language media organization in Jordan; Hussein Alazaat, artist, calligrapher, and founder of Elharf Studio, a platform for arts and culture in Amman; and Rawan Roshni, a Palestinian Balkan singer whose captivating song, "Abbad El Shams," is the theme song for our podcast this season. The conversation you're about to hear today was...

In this episode of "Going Places," I'm thrilled to have Janine Jervis as our guest. Janine, who serves as the North American Communications Director for Visit Jordan, brings her extensive experience in the travel and tourism industry, spanning an impressive 17 years. In our conversation, we explore the transformative power of travel, emphasizing the importance of firsthand experiences in challenging stereotypes and broadening one's perspective.  Janine shares her initial perceptions of...

Welcome back to our show, everyone. It's been nearly three months since we've been on air. In these three months, a lot of things have happened, both in the world and in my own life, which caused me to go through an intense period of a lot of searching and rethinking the purpose of my work, the meaning behind it, and how what I do on the podcast and elsewhere can better address some of the stereotypes and misconceptions that plague the Middle East and other areas of the world that are feeling...

Get full show notes and more information at: https://www.goingplacesmedia.com/ For more BTS of this podcast follow @travelmedialab Need support and accountability? Join our Facebook group! Please head over to Apple Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE to the show. If you enjoy this conversation, please share it with others on social and don’t forget to tag us @travelmedialab! And show us some love, if you have a minute, by rating Travel Media Lab or leaving us a review wherever you listen. You’ll be...

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation on privilege, travel, and finding a sense of belonging with our guest, Emy Rodriguez, a freelance travel journalist from Arecibo, Puerto Rico. A proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, Emy has dedicated himself to using his privilege as a travel writer to showcase and preserve underserved communities and their incomparable voices. His writing has appeared in Condé Nast Traveler, Fodors, and many more magazines. Emy currently lives in Barcelona,...

Welcome to a special milestone episode of the Travel Media Lab podcast, where we celebrate our 100th journey together! Today, we embark on a captivating adventure to the heart of Wadi Rum Desert in Southern Jordan with Ahmad Mara'yeh, a Bedouin and co-founder of Rum Planet Camp. Wadi Rum isn't just a picturesque landscape; it's a realm where nature's grandeur converges with the warmth and authenticity of its people. Ahmad shares why understanding the local culture and connecting with its...

In this episode of Travel Media Lab, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Esme Benjamin, an award-winning writer, editor, and podcaster based in the vibrant city of New York. Esme's work spans the realms of travel and well-being, gracing the pages of renowned publications like Elle Magazine, Condé Nast Traveler, and many others. She wears multiple hats as the current editor-in-chief of Full Time Travel and the host of the captivating podcast "The Trip That Changed Me." Our...

Welcome to season 9, everyone! I'm Yulia Denisyuk, your host, and I'm thrilled to welcome you to the new season of our podcast.  This episode is extra special for two reasons. First, we get to talk about Jordan, a destination that I absolutely adore. If you know me, you'll know just how much I love this country, and I'll take any opportunity to explore it in depth. We also discuss some of my favorite places in Jordan, debunk some common misconceptions about this destination, and provide...

Welcome to Season 9 of our podcast! I'm Yulia Denisyuk, your host, an award-winning travel photographer, writer, and storyteller who's explored the world's most captivating places. In this season, we're embarking on a thrilling journey of discovery that goes beyond the ordinary. First and foremost, a heartfelt thank you to all our listeners. Your unwavering support has made our podcast a success, with over 30,000 downloads and 12,000 dedicated fans. Your enthusiasm is what keeps us...

Welcome to Travel Media Lab! I'm your host, Yulia Denisyuk, and in this episode, we're wrapping up our Summer Reading Series with a story set on Mexico's wild Guerrero coast. In this episode, we're traveling to Hotelito, a new beachfront property in Guerrero that's part of the Modern Utopian Society of Adventurers (MUSA). This story was just published this week in Robb Report. If you enjoy this episode and the Summer Reading Series, please take a moment to share share share this episode with...

Welcome to Travel Media Lab! I'm your host, Yulia Denisyuk, and in this episode, we're continuing our Summer Reading Series where I share with you some of my favorite stories I've published to date. In this episode, we're traveling to one of my favorite places on earth, the desert of Wadi Rum in southern Jordan. This story was published in AFAR. If you enjoy this episode and the Summer Reading Series, please take a moment to share share share this episode with your friends or on social...

Welcome to Travel Media Lab! I'm your host, Yulia Denisyuk, and in this episode, we're continuing our Summer Reading Series where I share with you some of my favorite stories I've published to date. In this episode, we're traveling to Austria's westernmost state of Vorarlberg, an unexpected cultural hotspot in the Alps. This story was published in Vogue earlier this year. If you enjoy this episode and the Summer Reading Series, please take a moment to share share share this episode with your...

Welcome to Travel Media Lab! I'm your host, Yulia Denisyuk, and in this episode, we're continuing our Summer Reading Series where I share with you some of my favorite stories I've published to date. In this episode, I'm taking you to Mongolia, one of the last remaining remote places on Earth. But that is changing, fast. This story was published in BBC Travel and it's a photo essay, so be sure to visit the link to see some of my images from Mongolia. If you enjoy this episode and the Summer...

Welcome to Travel Media Lab! I'm your host, Yulia Denisyuk, and in this episode, we're discussing what to do if you feel sluggish this August (how is it August already?!). Everybody in Europe seems to be on vacation in August and in the US, we slug on. On the episode today, we’re going to talk about how we can create time and space to recuperate and recharge for ourselves by attending creative retreats. We’ll look at how to know if you might need a creative retreat, five reasons why retreats...

Welcome to Travel Media Lab! I'm your host, Yulia Denisyuk, and in this episode, we're continuing our Summer Reading Series where I share with you some of my favorite stories I've published to date. In this episode, I'm taking you to another place that's really special for me: Turkey. This story was published in AFAR Magazine a few years ago. If you enjoy this episode and the Summer Reading Series, please take a moment to share share share this episode with your friends or on social media. It...

Welcome to Travel Media Lab! I'm your host, Yulia Denisyuk, and in this episode, we're continuing our Summer Reading Series where I share with you some of my favorite stories I've published to date. In this episode, I'm taking you to one of my favorite places on earth: the desert of Wadi Rum in Southern Jordan. It was published in Conde Nast Traveler this year. If you enjoy this episode and the Summer Reading Series, please take a moment to share share share this episode with your friends or...

Welcome to Travel Media Lab! I'm your host, Yulia Denisyuk, and in this episode, we're continuing our Summer Reading Series where I share with you some of my favorite stories I've published to date. In this episode, I'm discussing the ethics of travel photography and how photography can help us become better travelers. It was published in the Toronto Star this year. If you enjoy this episode and the Summer Reading Series, please take a moment to share share share this episode with your...

Welcome to Travel Media Lab! I'm your host, Yulia Denisyuk, and in this episode, we're introducing the Summer Reading Series where I share with you some of my favorite stories I've published to date. In this episode, I'm sharing with you perhaps one of my most personal stories. It was published in AFAR Magazine in 2022. If you enjoy this episode and the Summer Reading Series, please take a moment to share share share this episode with your friends or on social media. It matters a lot! Get...

Welcome to Travel Media Lab! I'm your host, Yulia Denisyuk, and in this episode, we're diving into the world of TikTok for travel creators. Discover why TikTok is a game-changer, offering new audiences and additional income streams. Major publications and tourism boards are already taking advantage of this platform, and it's time for you to join them. We'll explore the importance of having a strategy when starting on TikTok and share content ideas that will make your account stand out. From...

Welcome to the Travel Media Lab podcast! I'm Yulia Denisyuk, your host, and today I'm sharing conversations from our membership, The Circle, to help you break into the travel media industry. In this episode, we dive into the art of pitching and discuss how it's similar to dating, where one person's interest can spark others' curiosity.  We also discuss imposter syndrome as something many of us in the travel media industry struggle with. Overcoming imposter syndrome allows us to embrace our...

This summer, we are taking a little break here at the Travel Media Lab podcast. We will be returning with season nine of our podcast soon, and until then, we have some amazing bonus episodes lined up for you. In this special bonus episode, I'll be giving you an exclusive preview of one of our monthly workshops from inside our membership, The Circle, our membership, in which we help you get your stories published with ongoing support, encouragement, and opportunities to establish yourself in...

This summer, we are taking a little break here at the Travel Media Lab podcast. We will be returning with season nine of our podcast soon, and until then, we have some amazing bonus episodes lined up for you. In this bonus episode, we'll delve into the art of crafting captivating pitches that demand attention from editors and propel your stories into top-tier publications. Have you ever wondered how to make your ideas bigger and bolder before approaching editors? I'll reveal the essential...

Today, let's embark on a journey that explores the powerful connection between creativity and taking chances on ourselves. Have you ever wondered if your dreams have an expiration date? Well, I've got some incredible insights to share with you. I recently had the amazing opportunity to attend a Women in Travel conference in Puerto Rico. The experience was truly eye-opening, and the positive feedback from fellow attendees struck a chord with me. It made me realize something profound—there is...